Manchester City

Gabriel Jesus has said he would be open to playing on the wing for Manchester City in the future if it meant getting more starting opportunities.

The Brazilian has the unenviable role of being Sergio Aguero's competition for the No. 9 role in the City squad.

Aguero has been fantastic so far this term, netting eight goals in the Premier League, and Jesus has been restricted to just four starts in the English top flight.

The 22-year-old started alongside Aguero in Tuesday's 3-1 Carabao Cup win against Southampton, though, playing on the left flank with the Argentinian in the middle:

How we line-up against the Saints! 💪

XI | Bravo, Walker, Otamendi, Garcia, Angeliño, Doyle, Foden, Mahrez, Bernardo, Jesus, Agüero (C)

SUBS | Carson, Stones, De Bruyne, Silva, Cancelo, Bernabe, Poveda

⚽️ @HaysWorldwide
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/649GgvNwM2

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 29, 2019

Jesus has now said he would be open to playing in that role more often, although he added the competition for places on the wings is still fierce, per Jonathan Smith of Goal:

"It's City, you know. The competition is very high. City has good players, an amazing team, so whoever is playing is going to do good work. I like this position, but I am always going to respect the manager's decision.

"Since the Copa America, I've played right winger [for Brazil]. I like it. I started there in this position for Brazil and my old club. And after I played as a striker. Of course I like to play both positions, and I think it's very important that you can play more than one."

Raheem Sterling is Pep Guardiola's preferred option on the left wing, while Bernardo Silva is the most consistent choice on the right.

They are backed up by the versatile Riyad Mahrez, and usually also by Leroy Sane, who is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Jesus' eagerness to play out wide could provide Guardiola with yet another option for how to deploy his embarrassment of attacking riches.

It was a system that worked in the main against Southampton, with Aguero scoring twice playing in between Mahrez and Jesus:

⚽️ Goal 2⃣4⃣2⃣ in a Manchester City shirt for Sergio Aguero on his 3⃣5⃣0⃣th app for the club.#CarabaoCup #MCFC pic.twitter.com/6gvJEtV5jY

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 29, 2019

The Sky Blues are back in action in the Premier League, with an identical fixture on Saturday when they host Southampton again at the Etihad Stadium.

They cruised to victory on Tuesday with a team that included young players like Eric Garcia, Tommy Doyle and Phil Foden.

If, as expected, the likes of Sterling, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne return for Saturday, Southampton could be in for another hiding after they lost 9-0 to Leicester City last time out in the league.

Manchester City posted five wins and one defeat across all competitions in October, featuring great returns for Sergio Aguero and an encouraging run of form for summer signing Joao Cancelo.

The Citizens suffered their first home defeat since December 2018 when Wolverhampton Wanderers won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, but wins in Europe and domestically have helped make up for that slip.

Pep Guardiola's side are six points off Premier League leaders Liverpool—one point more than they were on October 1—but the form of certain key players will lift the manager's spirits.

Here is a breakdown of the most important statistics for City from the month of October and a look at their essential performers.

       

Manchester City Season Stats (Premier League)

Goals: Sergio Aguero 8, Raheem Sterling 7, Bernardo Silva 4, Gabriel Jesus 3, David Silva 3, Kevin De Bruyne 2, Riyad Mahrez 2

Assists: Kevin De Bruyne 9, David Silva 4, Riyad Mahrez 3, Sergio Aguero 2, Bernardo Silva 2

Passes: Rodrigo 665, Nicolas Otamendi 532, Oleksandr Zinchenko 513, Ilkay Gundogan 511

Tackles: Rodrigo 21, Oleksandr Zinchenko 16, Bernardo Silva 14, Joao Cancelo 12, Raheem Sterling 12, Kevin De Bruyne 11

      

For the figures in full, visit the Premier League website.

       

October Review

The starting-striker role has been a point of discussion following Gabriel Jesus' recent run in the XI, with the Brazilian making direct goal contributions in back-to-back league wins over Crystal Palace (2-0, goal) and Aston Villa (3-0, assist).

Aguero, 31, marked his 350th appearance for City in style and put two past Southampton on Tuesday to prolong his side's Carabao Cup title defence, via Sky Sports:

Raheem Sterling impressed with another five goals in October, and he remains the club's top scorer this season with 13 in 14 games across all competitions (one goal every 83.5 minutes).

Aguero has been slightly more efficient in his strike rate and has amassed a similar tally despite making only 12 appearances across all competitions (one goal scored every 70.3 minutes).

The Argentinian might still hold a share of the Premier League's top-scorer title, too, were it not for Jamie Vardy's recent hat-trick when Leicester City trounced Southampton 9-0, per Goal:

Premier League top scorers:

9⃣ - Jamie Vardy
8⃣ - Sergio Aguero
8⃣ - Tammy Abraham
7⃣ - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
7⃣ - Raheem Sterling
6⃣ - Harry Kane
6⃣ - Teemu Pukki
5⃣ - Callum Wilson
5⃣ - Marcus Rashford
5⃣ - Mohamed Salah
5⃣ - Sadio Mane

Who will get the Golden Boot? 🥇

— GOAL (@goal) October 29, 2019

City kept three clean sheets in six matches during October, and the team won both of their UEFA Champions League tests against Dinamo Zagreb (2-0) and Atalanta (5-1), both at home.

Cancelo may not look back on his full Premier League debut with fond memories, however, after his first start in England's top flight saw him lose 2-0 at home to Wolves thanks to an Adama Traore brace:

Cancelo has bounced back tremendously considering the damage that result could have done to his confidence. 

BBC Sport's Simon Stone highlighted his full City bow seemed late given the efforts to sign him from Juventus (when Danilo moved in the opposite direction):

Joao Cancelo makes full PL debut - in game 8 - he cost £60m

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 6, 2019

Guardiola previously spoke to reporters and addressed the time Cancelo needed to settle in at the Etihad:

“Because he arrived late, not in pre-season, so most of the things that we worked on in the past.

“In pre-season he was not there. What he did in the past with previous teams was completely different, so that is why he needed a little bit more time.

“But I think he is getting better. With the ball we don't have doubts, without the ball he starts to understand what we want, and he did it quite well in the games he has played."

The Portugal international is yet to register his first assist despite his reputation as an attacking wing-back, and it's actually his defensive strengths that have shone brightest thus far.

That Traore brace accounts for the only goals City have conceded in the five matches Cancelo has started for the club thus far. Not only that, but Cancelo is already joint-fourth in City's Premier League tackling charts this season (12), despite the fact he's started only three of their 10 top-flight games this term. 

The 25-year-old leads City in average tackles per league game this season (2.4), per WhoScored.com, and the early signs suggest Kyle Walker will face stiff competition for the right-back spot.  

Defending champions Manchester City advanced to the quarter finals of the 2019-20 Carabao Cup after they beat Southampton 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Nicolas Otamendi headed home the opener in the 20th minute and Sergio Aguero put the hosts 2-0 up before of half time.

The Argentinian effectively put the game to bed soon after the break with an opportunistic finish, but Jack Stephens' 75th minute header was just reward for a spirited second-half display from Saints. 

Fresh from their 9-0 home drubbing at the hands of Leicester City in the Premier League, though, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are now winless in five in all competitions.

City's fans were quick to remind Southampton and their visiting support of Friday's chastening events at St Mary's:

Doyle playing DM. Jesus on the left. City fans chanting “we want 10” about 15 seconds in

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) October 29, 2019

It seemed clear from the off that Hasenhuttl's side were eager to simply prevent City scoring early as they put almost all their men behind the ball.

That tactic worked for 20 minutes.

Then Bernardo Silva received a short corner, floated a ball into the mixer from the edge of the box and Otamendi rose highest to head past Alex McCarthy from six yards.

Seven minutes before the break, after more relentless pressure from City, Aguero made it 2-0.

It was a trademark City goal as they strung together slick pass after slick pass before the 31-year-old side-footed home Kyle Walker's inch-perfect delivery from the right:

⚽️ Goal 2⃣4⃣2⃣ in a Manchester City shirt for Sergio Aguero on his 3⃣5⃣0⃣th app for the club.#CarabaoCup #MCFC pic.twitter.com/6gvJEtV5jY

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 29, 2019

The problem for Saints was City were winning comfortably having barely got out of second gear.

The hosts looked as though they could score at will, and all it took for Pep Guardiola's side to go 3-0 ahead was for Silva to slightly up the tempo.

In the 56th minute he burst past two defenders after cutting in from the right, laid the ball off to Riyad Mahrez, whose deflected shot was turned home by Aguero from close range after the Southampton defence couldn't respond quickly enough:

5 - Sergio Aguero has scored five goals in his last five games against Southampton in all competitions, after scoring just two in his first seven vs Saints. Menacing.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 29, 2019

Jan Bednarek atoned somewhat five minutes later when he prevented a near certain goal, blocking Mahrez's close-range shot after a brilliantly precise in-swinging ball from the left flank by Phil Foden.

Claudio Bravo was then called into action, stopping well from Sofiane Boufal's long-range effort soon after the hour.

And the visitors pulled one back 15 minutes from time when Jack Stephens met James Ward-Prowse's corner with a powerful header. 

Saints never looked like launching a comeback, though, and City eventually cantered to victory and into the last eight. 

                                                               

What's Next?

City and Southampton meet again at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday when they face up in the Premier League. 

Manchester City and Southampton will have their first meeting of the week on Tuesday when they face each other in a Carabao Cup clash just four days before their Premier League match.

Bet365 (h/t Oddschecker) have named the Citizens as huge 1-8 favourites, while Saints carry odds of 14-1. A draw (after 90 minutes) comes in at 8-1.

American viewers can tune in via ESPN+, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 p.m. GMT/1:45 p.m. ET.

   

These two upcoming matches have the potential to deliver plenty of goals, with two teams in drastically different form.

City have scored eight in their last two matches combined, beating Atalanta 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League and Aston Villa 3-0 in the Premier League. The Sky Blues have scored a remarkable 32 goals in 10 matches, and in Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, they field two of the competition's top five scorers.

In contrast, Southampton let in nine goals against Leicester City at home on Friday night, a Premier League record:

In all likelihood, both teams will rest some of their top players for the league encounter, and this cup tie will feature plenty of backups and youngsters.

City will be without star midfielder-turned-defender Fernandinho after his red card against Villa. Per sports writer Ben Crellin, his straight red card means his suspension will carry over to the Carabao Cup, rather than being served in the Premier League:

"Red cards remain unchanged and a player would miss the following matches in any competition, so a dismissal in the Carabao Cup could still see a player miss a Premier League match, and vice versa"https://t.co/UKe5jQqLLD

— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) October 26, 2019

Rising star Eric Garcia, 18, could start in his place, handing him a major opportunity to stake a claim for a bigger role.

Southampton haven't won a Premier League match since September and can't afford the luxury of focusing on cup competitions while they battle against relegation.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl likely would have made changes to the team that conceded nine goals against Leicester regardless, and he could well rotate nearly all of his starters on Tuesday.

According to the Telegraph's Sam Wallace, he still has the backing of the club board:

Ralph Hasenhuttl given Southampton backing as board decide players will be ditched before manager. @SamWallaceTel reports https://t.co/Bg8pz0XgUS

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) October 26, 2019

Moussa Djenepo could return for Saints after missing several weeks with a leg injury, while Kevin Danso was one of the few bright spots against Leicester after coming on as a substitute and should be in line for a start.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Southampton

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday that he was worried by his team's "relegation" form in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.

The champions closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to three points with the victory, but the manager told reporters after the match that he was not happy with his team's performance.

"Six days ago we were eight points [behind Liverpool] now we are three. I am not concerned about the table. I am concerned about the way we played. If we play the level we played in the second half, we can be there at the end of the season I am sure of that.

"If we play the way we did in the first half, we will be in the relegation positions far away from the leaders of the table. That is my view. Not just this season but all the time."

Aston Villa managed to frustrate the champions in a goalless first half. The visitors saw plenty of the ball but could not find the breakthrough. Striker Gabriel Jesus fired an early chance just wide of the post, while John McGinn drew a good save from goalkeeper Ederson at the other end.

Goal's Jonathan Smith offered his view at half-time:

Not an easy 45 minutes, Villa well organised and filling the box with bodies to make it difficult. Jesus and D Silva still should have taken good chances.

— Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) October 26, 2019

The champions then took control after the break. Raheem Sterling made it 1-0 just 19 seconds after the restart, and David Silva doubled their lead on 65 minutes before Ilkay Gundogan wrapped up the win.

City did suffer a blow late on when Fernandinho was sent off for a foul on Keinan Davis that earned him a second yellow card. He will now be suspended for the club's EFL Cup fixture against Southampton on Tuesday.

Squawka Football noted Manchester City's dominant record against Villa:

Manchester City's last 10 Premier League home games against Aston Villa:

WWWWWWWWWW

The Champions close the gap at the top to three points. pic.twitter.com/j4uhrfhDXH

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 26, 2019

Guardiola's side had to be patient to break down a disciplined and determined side but ultimately ran out comfortable winners and fully deserved their three points. The victory puts pressure on leaders Liverpool ahead of Sunday's visit from Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City beat Aston Villa 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to move back into second in the Premier League table, three points back from leaders Liverpool.

The title holders were frustrated by Villa for the first 45 minutes and headed in at the break with the score still 0-0.

However, Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock immediately after half-time before goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan made it a comfortable win for Pep Guardiola's side. 

Fernandinho was sent off three minutes from time for a second bookable offence. His dismissal had no impact on Saturday's game, but his subsequent suspension could cause the City manager a headache as he is lacking in centre-back options.

Sterling was sharp from the off, setting up Gabriel Jesus for the first chance of the match in the sixth minute, which the Brazilian shot narrowly wide.

Villa did well to respond to City's early pressure, and they restricted the hosts' chances effectively.

The only save of real significance Tom Heaton was forced into in the opening half came from Joao Cancelo's 30-yard left-footed effort in the 22nd minute. 

And Dean Smith's side had some chances of their own on the counter-attack, most notably John McGinn's shot, which drew a decent save from Ederson just before the half-hour. 

All Villa's good work was undone in the first minute after half-time, though, when Sterling put City ahead to continue his remarkable form:

Raheem Sterling’s last 4 games in all competitions:

⚽️⚽️🅰️ vs. Bulgaria
🅰️ vs. Crystal Palace
⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️ vs. Atalanta
⚽️ vs. Aston Villa

Outrageous. 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/XSXCBXjyQ1

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 26, 2019

It was route one football that broke Villa's resolve in the end, with Ederson punting the ball forward, Jesus flicking it on and Sterling slotting home:

Classic route one from City. Long kick, win the knock-on header and convert. Just what Pep preaches.

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) October 26, 2019

Love Man City’s intricate build up for the Sterling goal...

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 26, 2019

Controversy surrounded City's second in the 64th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne swung the ball in right-footed from the left, and it ended up in the net having seemingly missed everyone.

David Silva wheeled away in celebration, though, indicating he got a faint touch, which should have led to the goal being ruled out for offside.

After a long review from the VAR, the goal stood:

"David Silva admits he got a touch on it, therefore Raheem is offside!"

VAR would have DISALLOWED De Bruyne's goal if the referee had passed on this crucial piece of evidence! #beINPL #MCIAVL 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/P20kM72Ko8

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 26, 2019

And moments later, Gundogan made it 3-0 with a brilliant scissor kick from 12 yards after Villa failed to clear their lines.

City could have had more goals, but Heaton was on hand to save twice from substitute Phil Foden in the closing stages, and Jesus was also denied by the crossbar.

Ferandinho's dismissal came in the 87th minute after a needless challenge:

Fernandinho off. Silly second yellow card for a tactical foul when his side are 3-0 up

— Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) October 26, 2019

It was not what Guardiola will have wanted given his defensive shortages, but he will be happy his City side got the result they needed to keep the pressure on Liverpool. 

                              

What's Next? 

City are back in action on Tuesday when they host Southampton, fresh from their humiliating 9-0 loss to Leicester City, in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Villa, meanwhile, play Wolverhampton Wanderers at home in the same competition on Wednesday.  

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling thinks an increase in maturity has been one of the key factors behind his remarkable goalscoring.

The England international has enjoyed an extraordinary couple of campaigns and has started the 2019-20 season in red-hot form for his team. On Tuesday, Sterling was on the scoresheet three times for City when they romped to a 5-1 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.

After the game, Sterling was asked why he believes he's been able to make significant strides as a footballer and a goalscorer, per David Anderson of the Daily Mirror:

"One thing is age. I was 19 or 20 when I came to City and I was nowhere near the maturity level I am now. Another is being in a good team, and then the final thing is down to yourself, it's what you want to do in football.

"Do you want to be a winger who takes 10 people on and delivers nothing or do you want to be someone who helps win games for your team? I think all that comes with maturity. I keep learning each day to be better at it and to be involved in the game and be effective."

Sterling ran riot at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, showing his creative talents in the first period and his goalscoring ability after the break:

Three goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Two assists 🅰️🅰️

Man City put five past Atalanta last night, and Raheem Sterling was involved in EVERYTHING!

Unstoppable 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Rn4FNR49Ul

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 23, 2019

Per City broadcaster Steven McInerney, the winger has amassed an impressive total of goals and assists already this season:

Sterling is on fire for City this season 🔥

13 appearances.
12 goals.
3 assists.

World class. pic.twitter.com/o1uOLv9NKd

— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) October 22, 2019

The hat-trick was a perfect summation of the player Sterling has become, as he netted different types of goals on the night.

The first and third came after the former Liverpool man used intelligent movement to find space in the penalty area and finish like a poacher. The second saw him dribble past a hapless defender and slam the ball past the Atalanta goalkeeper.

Under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old has become one of the most effective attackers in the world. As Sterling noted himself, there's also been a personal development that's aided him in making strides on the field.

Per Sky Sports Statto, the City No. 7 has developed an appetite for goals over the last few months:

⚽️⚽️⚽️ Raheem Sterling has scored his 5th career hat-trick for club & country, 4 of which have come in his last 35 apps since March pic.twitter.com/knAl2c6tUW

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 22, 2019

Rafael Hernandez from Barcelona fansite Grup14 thinks that Sterling should be setting himself a high goalscoring target:

Sterling has finished incredibly well tonight. This is the level he needs to strive to be every match, can certainly hit 40+ goals in a single season like this.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) October 22, 2019

Guardiola is prone to rotating his players, and you can guarantee there will be tweaks to the team for the match with Aston Villa on Saturday. However, the way Sterling is playing will likely make him the first name on the teamsheet.

At the moment, the forward is scoring, creating chances and terrifying opposition defenders with his ability. If City are to chop down the six-point gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, Sterling is likely to be the key.  

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he's concerned he will be without midfielder Rodrigo for a month due to a hamstring issue.

The summer signing hobbled out of the 5-1 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday in the first half, adding to a growing list of injuries for the Premier League title holders.

After the game, Guardiola provided more details on the issue accrued by the Spain international and said the worst-case scenario is that Rodrigo spends four weeks on the sidelines, per Dom Farrell of Goal.

"Tomorrow [Wednesday] we will know," said the City manager. "Hopefully [Rodrigo will be out] between 10 days if it is not broken [torn]. If it is broken, it will be three weeks or one month. It is hamstring, it looks like. When a guy runs and puts his hand in the hamstring position, it is a hamstring."

Rodrigo has played as a centre-back for the last couple of matches, with City light on options at the heart of defence. On Tuesday and in the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday, he partnered fellow midfielder Fernandinho in a makeshift defensive pair.

Per football writer Zach Lowy, although City have a squad packed with talent, they've had some key players absent due to fitness issues:

-Leroy Sané likely out for majority of the season with ACL injury

-Aymeric Laporte out until 2020 with lateral meniscus injury

-Rodri subbed off with hamstring injury

-De Bruyne repeatedly out with injuries

City can’t catch a break with injuries this season.

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) October 22, 2019

John Stones, who has recently recovered from a thigh problem, was brought on for Rodrigo in the win over Atalanta and told BT Sport (h/t Farrell) after the game he was impressed with how the former Atletico Madrid man fared in an unfamiliar role:

"It's the first season for Rodri, he's slotted in brilliantly in a new league, a different [one] for him, and he's breezed it. 

"Credit to Fernandinho, he's helped him along. We work on playing different positions in training all the time, knowing everyone's jobs and the roles on the pitch, so you can almost play blind when you have the ball."

Sam Lee of The Athletic praised the manner in which the two holding midfielders acquitted themselves in deeper roles:

Fernandinho and Rodri at CB again, really keen to see that as often as possible to be honest. See if it really is a viable option over the course of a few games. Mendy starting another game is interesting as well, he needs to be at this point

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) October 22, 2019

Since joining City in the summer, Rodrigo has been a big hit for the team, offering a steady presence with his passing and defensive positioning at the base of midfield.

Per WhoScored.com, he's also adept at slaloming away from opposition players:

Players with a 100% dribble success rate in Europe's top 5 leagues this season (10+ dribbles)

Rodri - Man City (12/12)
Arthur - Barcelona (14/14)
T. Partey - Atletico (11/11)
M. Grujic - Hertha (12/12)
A. Lusamba - Nice (11/11)
H. Maïga - Metz (13/13)
B. Soumaré - Lille (11/11) pic.twitter.com/dUEtm7lBQe

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 15, 2019

Stones getting back to full fitness is a boost for City. Although he had his struggles early in the campaign, City supporters will be glad to see another recognised centre-back available ahead of a busy period.

The club will naturally hope for the best on Rodri, who has already established himself as a key member of Guardiola's side. Regardless of the severity of the injury, the 23-year-old may not be risked on Saturday when the champions welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium in the lunchtime kick-off.  

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has talked up the talents of Raheem Sterling following his sensational performance against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Sterling hit a hat-trick in the second half as City came from behind to win 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium. 

Following the victory, Guardiola praised the manner in which his side performed against the Italian outfit, but he reserved special praise for Sterling, per Sky Sports.

"All the credit is for him," the City manager said. "He's a guy whose physicality is incredible, he is so strong. A day after a game, he could play another game. His regeneration is incredible. He can play both sides, he's fast and defensively he helps us a lot. He is an extraordinary player."

A brace from Sergio Aguero put City ahead after Ruslan Malinovskiy had given Atalanta the lead from the penalty spot. In the second half, Sterling's treble took the game away from the Serie A side in spectacular fashion:

The City No. 7 was at the heart of all the team's best attacking play. Squawka Football provided the numbers behind a masterclass from the 24-year-old:

Sterling assisted the first
Sterling won the penalty for the second
Sterling scored the third
Sterling scored the fourth
Sterling scored the fifth

Raheem Sterling 5-1 Atalanta pic.twitter.com/btl4bQYz8g

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 22, 2019

The man himself posted the following on Twitter after the game, joking he should have scored four goals after missing a routine chance late in the game:

(& whoever mentions my missed sitter and / or Fantasy football will be blocked forever 😂😂)

— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) October 22, 2019

Sterling's performance was further evidence of his development during Guardiola's time at the club.

While the England international has always been a threat with the ball at his feet, his production of goals and assists has seen a huge uplift over the past couple of seasons.

Now he regularly finds himself in the optimal position to finish, as he did for his first and third goals against Atalanta. Sterling is also able to commit defenders in one-on-one situations before scoring, as he did for the second.

Per Sky Sports, Sterling now has 16 goals in 17 appearances for club and country in 2019-20. The forward is also getting an appetite for goals in the Champions League, something football writer Daniel Storey noted after Tuesday's hat-trick:

Now only five English players in history with more European Cup goals than Raheem Sterling. He's still 24.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) October 22, 2019

While City have dominated English football under Guardiola for the last couple of campaigns, in the Champions League they've never quite shown their best. In the previous two editions, they've been knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

This season, there'll be a determination to go further, and there's no doubt City have a squad capable of advancing to the final. In Sterling, they also now have one of the most effective forwards in the world.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called on Phil Foden to learn from experience after he picked up his first senior red card in the 5-1 win over Atalanta on Tuesday, adding the player is "not going to get fined."

The Citizens cemented their spot atop UEFA Champions League Group C after Raheem Sterling scored his second hat-trick of the season and Sergio Aguero netted a brace in an emphatic comeback win.

Foden, 19, made his second start of the season and was sent off in the 82nd minute following two cautions in quick succession, but Guardiola told reporters punishment was the last thing on his mind:

"He will learn. He will know after one yellow card he has to be a little bit more careful for the second.

"People say he has to play more minutes and I want to let him. But there are things he is still far away from compared to David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. He has to learn these situations, with a yellow card, be careful. The word 'experience' - it means that.

"He is not going to get fined. I only fine players for stupid things, not for cards that are part of the game. Maybe I have to pay him for how well he played!"

Foden was shown his first yellow for an innocuous-looking challenge in the 76th minute—which appeared to enrage Guardiola—and was sent off soon after for pulling an opponent's shirt, via BT Sport (UK only):

The England under-21 international had a positive impact aside from those incidents, evidenced by his manager's remark that he might deserve remuneration despite his dismissal.

Statman Dave joked a rare start under Guardiola might have been the root cause of his red at the Etihad Stadium:

Phil Foden now has more red cards (1) than league starts this season (0).

Being on the pitch before the 91st minute was probably overwhelming for him. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/64otADKY3S

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 22, 2019

Ruslan Malinovskiy scored from the penalty spot 28 minutes into the match after makeshift centre-back Fernandinho committed a foul, but City rallied to blow away the Italian opposition.

Broadcaster Bill Rice appeared to agree with Guardiola's assessment that Foden's inexperience—like that displayed on Tuesday—proves why he doesn't get more minutes at the moment:

That’s why Phil Foden doesn’t get more minutes

— ᗷIᒪᒪ ᖇIᑕᕮ 🎙📻 (@billrice23) October 22, 2019

The teenager has scored once in six appearances across all competitions this season, but only 10 of his 183 minutes this term have come in the Premier League.

Many supporters have advocated for the youngster to receive a more prominent place in Guardiola's plans. He could return to the lineup for Saturday's home league fixture against Aston Villa; his Champions League suspension applies only to European fixtures.

City face Atalanta again at the San Siro in Milan on November 6, when Foden will watch from the sidelines as Guardiola's men have an opportunity to secure first place in Group C.